Birding The Uruguay River To The Atlantic Coast Tour - 8 Days

We will drive for 4:30 hours (400 kilometers) from Montevideo to the Department of Río Negro, in the west of the country. Here it is found one of the largest wetland reserves, nearby the waters of the Uruguay River. The Esteros de Farrapos National Park protects a territory of 20,205 hectares that includes an interesting mixture of wet grassland, small lagoons, river forest and park-like forest called Algarrobal which is an extension of the Chaco sited inland of the continent. It is also an Important Bird Area because of the presence of several vulnerable or endangered bird species like some Seedeaters (Chestnut Seedeater, Dark-throated Seedeater); and because of the large numbers of species related with Chaco forest as well as water birds. Lunch, dinner and accommodation in local Estancia.

We will spend all day around the area for birding. We will do birding early in the morning, before breakfast, around the estancia. After breakfast we will spend a full day birding in the National Park. We will back to the Estancia for having lunch. We will continue birding in the afternoon around the area. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and accommodation in Estancia.

After breakfast we will drive for 3 hours (260 kilometers) to the north, in the Department of Tacuarembó. We will be welcomed for a gauchos’ family at their home where we will spent 02 nights. The family has a great knowledge about the local flora and fauna and they will guide us through his property to show us the amazing landscape in where they live. We will arrive for lunch and after a short rest we will check the area around. Dinner and overnight at the Estancia. Lunch, dinner and accommodation in the Estancia-Posada.

We will spend all day for birding in the ravines and prairies around. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and accommodation at the Estancia-Posada.

After breakfast, we will drive to the Department of Treinta y Tres in the north-east of the country. We will reach the Quebrada de los Cuervos National Park (SNAP –National Protected Area System) after a ride of 340 kilometres (04 hours). Quebrada de los Cuervos is site in the Cuchilla Grande mountain range. We will stay for 02 nights in a Posada nearby the National Park. Lunch, dinner and accommodation at the Estancia.

Mountain Ranges include one of the most interesting environments of Uruguay: Wet Ravin Forest which is subtropical woodland similar to Mata Atlantica forest. We will do birding in La Quebrada de los Cuervos National Park, in a jungle-like setting thriving in the shelter of a gorge carved out by a stream. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and accommodation at the Posada.

After breakfast, we will travel to the Brazilian border in El Fortín de San Miguel in the Department of Rocha, next to the El Chuy town (160 kilometres / 02:15 hours). El Fortin de San Miguel is an ancient fort that remains since the conflicts between Spaniards and Portuguese to define new frontiers. The monument is included in a small protected area that is, at the same time, part of the 200,000-hectare of Los Bañados del Este Biosphere Reserve (RAMSAR Convention), one of the largest wetlands in the Southern Cone that involves coastline, lagoons, estuaries and native Palm tree forest. We will spend the afternoon doing birding around the Fort. Lunch, dinner and accommodation in a hotel nearby the El Fortin de San Miguel.

Before breakfast, we will do birding around the Hotel and Fort. After breakfast we will begin our return trip to Montevideo or International Airport (360 kilometers / 04:40 hours). We will spend time before lunch for birding in Bañado de los Indios, Laguna Castillos area. After lunch, we will come back to Montevideo. Lunch and accommodation is not included.